A method of forming a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer is disclosed wherein a spin flipping (sto) device is recessed from an air bearing surface. The sto device has a middle flux guiding layer with a magnetization that flips to a direction anti-parallel to the write gap field when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied from the trailing shield towards the main pole (mp) thereby increasing reluctance in the write gap to enhance writability. A sto stack is deposited and patterned to define a cross-track width on the mp tapered trailing side. Thereafter, the sto stack is patterned to define a sto device with a front side recessed from the air bearing surface, and a backside. A write gap is deposited surrounding the sto device, and has a thickness greater than or ≤ to sto thickness to enable design flexibility. Then, first and second trailing shields are formed.
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1. A process of forming a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer, comprising:
(a) providing a main pole (mp) comprised of a mp tip having a tapered trailing side bounded by two sides that each extend from an air bearing surface (ABS) plane to a mp corner at a first height (a) where the mp tapered trailing side connects to a top surface of a mp back portion and the mp corners are separated by a first cross-track width (w1), wherein the mp top surface is aligned orthogonal to the ABS plane, and the mp tapered trailing side is coplanar with a tapered front side of a dielectric layer on the mp top surface;
(b) depositing a spin torque oscillator (sto) stack of layers with a thickness (t) on the mp tapered trailing side and on the dielectric layer, the sto stack of layers comprises:
(1) a lower non-spin preserving layer;
(2) a middle flux guiding layer (FGL) having a magnetization aligned parallel to a write gap field from the mp during a write process, and wherein the spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer is configured so that the FGL magnetization flips to an opposite direction when a current Ib of sufficient magnitude is applied in a direction from a first trailing shield (ts) towards the mp tapered trailing side; and
(3) an upper spin preserving layer;
(c) forming a pattern in the sto stack of layers wherein a resulting sto shape having two sides separated with a constant second cross-track width (w), or separated with increasing or decreasing width with increasing distance from the ABS plane;
(d) forming a sto front side at a second height (b), and a sto backside at a third height (h+b) from the sto front side, and wherein the sto front side and backside are connected by the two sto sides thereby defining a sto device having a height h;
(e) depositing a write gap with a second thickness (d1) on the mp tapered trailing side between the ABS plane and the sto front side, and adjoining the sto backside, and adjoining the two sto sides;
(f) depositing the first ts layer on the write gap and on the sto device, and forming two sides on the first ts layer and write gap that are separated by a third cross-track width (w2) at the ABS plane, wherein the two sides extend in a down-track direction to a top surface of a side shield on each side of the mp tip, and wherein w2>a maximum width of the sto device; and
(g) depositing a second ts layer on the first ts layer and on the top surface of each side shield, and then simultaneously forming a backside on the first and second ts layers at a fourth height (s) from the ABS plane.
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This application is related to the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,582,240; 10,325,618; and 10,446,178; assigned to a common assignee and herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a process for forming a recessed spin flipping device (STO) in a write gap of a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer wherein the STO is comprised of a magnetic layer sandwiched between a spin preserving layer and a non-spin preserving layer, and having a magnetic moment that flips to an opposite direction of the write gap field when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied during a write process thereby increasing the reluctance in the write gap and forcing additional flux out of the main pole (MP) tip at the ABS to enhance the write field on the magnetic recording medium.
As the data areal density in hard disk drive (HDD) writing increases, write heads and media bits are both required to be made in smaller sizes. However, as the write head size shrinks, its writability degrades. To improve writability, new technology is being developed that assists writing to a media bit. One approach that is currently being investigated is microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR), which is described by J-G. Zhu et al. in “Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording”, IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 44, pp. 125-131 (2008).
In a MAMR writer, the main pole generates a large local magnetic field to change the magnetization direction of the medium in proximity to the writer. By switching the direction of the field using a switching current that drives the writer, one can write a plurality of media bits on a magnetic recording medium. In MAMR, a spin torque oscillator (STO) is inserted in the WG, and when a critical current is applied, a STO oscillation layer is driven into a precessional state to apply a RF field on a magnetic medium bit to lower the coercivity therein and thereby lower the switching current necessary to provide a MP field for a write process. Magnetic flux in the main pole proceeds through the ABS and into a medium bit layer and soft underlayer (SUL). In some common designs, the flux returns to the write head through a trailing side loop comprised of a trailing shield structure, and through a leading side loop that includes a leading shield and back gap connection. There is also a gap field that exits the main pole through the write gap, side gaps, and leading gap, and is not directly responsible for writing.
Although MAMR has been in development for a number of years, it is not shown enough promise to be introduced into any products yet because of several technical problems. One problem is a fringing growth when the spin torque oscillator (STO) bias is turned on. Thus, when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied across the STO device, the oscillation (flux generation) layer may flip to be anti-parallel to the write gap. As a result, the reluctance in the write gap is increased thereby boosting the MP write field and the return field to the trailing shield.
Spin transfer (spin torque) devices are based on a spin-transfer effect that arises from the spin dependent electron transport properties of ferromagnetic-non-magnetic spacer-ferromagnetic multilayers. When a spin-polarized current passes through a magnetic multilayer in a CPP (current perpendicular to plane) configuration, the magnetic moment of electrons incident on a ferromagnetic layer interacts with magnetic moments of the ferromagnetic layer near the interface between the ferromagnetic and non-magnetic spacer. Through this interaction, the electrons transfer a portion of their angular momentum to the ferromagnetic layer. As a result, spin-polarized current can switch the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic layer such as the STO flux generation layer (FGL) if the current density is sufficiently high.
The insertion of a thin STO device in the write gap adds extra steps and dimensional control requirements for the fabrication process. Therefore, a straightforward process that readily integrates the STO device with existing features in the MAMR writer is desired for lower cost and higher device yield. Preferably, an improved process will enable greater flexibility in STO design.
One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a process for forming a recessed STO device in a write gap of a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer that is readily implemented in existing writer fabrication process flows.
A second objective of the present disclosure is to provide a process of forming a recessed STO device according to the first objective that relaxes certain dimensional control requirements to enable more degrees of freedom in writer design.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, these objectives are achieved with a process sequence of forming a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer structure where a spin flipping element also called a STO device or STO is formed on a MP tapered trailing side, and has a front side that is recessed from the ABS and separated therefrom by a write gap layer. The process has flexibility in that the write gap thickness may range from less than to greater than the STO thickness. The STO has a lower non-spin preserving layer that is an electrical conductor contacting the MP tapered trailing side, a middle flux guiding layer (FGL), and an upper spin preserving layer that is also electrically conductive. The middle FGL has a magnetization, aligned in the direction of the write gap field, that oscillates when a critical current (IC) is applied, but the FGL magnetization flips to an opposite direction when a current (IB) of sufficient magnitude is reached where IB>IC. Accordingly, there is more reluctance in the WG, which drives more magnetic flux from the MP tip to the ABS and into a magnetic medium for improved writability. Since the STO is recessed at least 10 nm and up to 400 nm from the ABS, fringing growth is considerably reduced compared with a scheme where the STO is at the ABS. As a result, MP fringing is controlled and TPI increases substantially compared with conventional MAMR designs.
According to a preferred embodiment, the STO has a cross-track width that is at least 10 nm, but not more than a maximum width of the MP tapered trailing side. However, in other embodiments, the STO width may exceed the maximum width of the MP tapered trailing side providing there is sufficient width in the mask that determines the WG and first trailing shield width. The STO has a height of 10 nm to 500 nm that represents a distance (orthogonal to the ABS) between the front side and backside. STO down-track thickness is at least 1 nm. The FGL has a magnetization saturation (Ms) value from 4 kiloGauss (kG) to 24 kG. The non-spin preserving layer may be Ta, Ru, W, Pt, or Ti while the FGL is preferably a magnetic multilayer comprised of NixFe100-x, CoyFe100-y, CozNi100-z, or alloys thereof, and where x, y, and z are between 0 and 100 atomic %. The spin preserving layer is one of Cu, Ag, Au, Cr, and Al, or alloys thereof.
According to one embodiment, a first step in the process flow of the present disclosure is formation of a tapered trailing side on the main pole that extends from the eventual ABS plane to a corner where the tapered trailing side connects with a MP top surface that is aligned orthogonal to the ABS plane. In some designs, the MP tapered trailing side has a trailing edge at the ABS plane that is coplanar with a top surface of the adjacent side shields and adjoining side gaps. Next, the STO stack of layers with a first thickness is deposited on the MP tapered trailing side, above the MP top surface, and on the side shields and side gaps. Thereafter, a first photoresist layer is coated on the STO stack of layers, and is patterned to provide a line shape with a first width on the MP tapered trailing side and extending over the MP top surface when a rectangular shaped STO element is desired. Alternatively, the photoresist layer has an elongated shape that is subsequently patterned into a trapezoidal shape or a shape substantially similar to the underlying MP tapered trailing side. A write gap layer with a second thickness (d) is deposited on the side shields and on uncovered regions of the MP tapered trailing side. Once the first photoresist layer is removed, a second photoresist layer is coated and patterned to form a rectangular shaped line (or alternative trapezoidal or MP tapered trailing side shape) having a first width on a portion of the STO line shape. The front side of the patterned photoresist layer (mask) is at the desired recess position of the front side of the subsequently formed STO device while the backside of the photoresist mask determines the STO device backside. An ion beam etch (IBE) or reactive ion etch (RIE) process is employed to transfer the rectangular (or alternative) shaped pattern through the STO stack of layers to yield the STO device.
In the following step, the write gap is deposited between the STO front side and the ABS plane with flexibility in realizing a write gap thickness (d1) where d1≤t or d1>t. Next, the first TS layer is preferably conformally deposited on the STO device and on the write gap surrounding the STO. Finally, a second TS layer is deposited on the first TS layer and on the side shields, and is patterned to form a backside at the same height as that of the first TS layer. Thereafter, the remainder of the writer fabrication process follows conventional methods used in the art.
The present disclosure is a process for forming a spin torque assisted magnetic writer structure wherein a STO device is recessed from the ABS and formed in the write gap to increase reluctance between the MP and trailing shield when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied thereby forcing more magnetic flux from the MP tip at the ABS to enhance writability. In the drawings, the y-axis is in a cross-track direction, the z-axis is in a down-track direction, and the x-axis is in a direction orthogonal to the ABS and towards a back end of the writer structure. Thickness refers to a down-track distance, width is a cross-track distance, and height is a distance from the ABS in the x-axis direction. The terms spin flipping element and STO device may be used interchangeably. The term “behind” refers to an x-axis position of one structural feature with respect to another. For example, component B formed behind component or plane A means that B is at a greater height from the ABS than A. A “front side” of a layer is a side facing the ABS plane, and a backside or backend faces away from the ABS plane.
Referring to
HGA 100 is mounted on an arm 230 formed in the head arm assembly 103. The arm moves the magnetic recording head 1 in the cross-track direction y of the magnetic recording medium 140. One end of the arm is mounted on base plate 224. A coil 231 that is a portion of a voice coil motor is mounted on the other end of the arm. A bearing part 233 is provided in the intermediate portion of arm 230. The arm is rotatably supported using a shaft 234 mounted to the bearing part 233. The arm 230 and the voice coil motor that drives the arm configure an actuator.
Next, a side view of a head stack assembly (
With reference to
Referring to
A magnetoresistive (MR) element also known as MR sensor 6 is formed on bottom shield 4 at the ABS 30-30 and typically includes a plurality of layers (not shown) including a tunnel barrier formed between a pinned layer and a free layer where the free layer has a magnetization (not shown) that rotates in the presence of an applied magnetic field to a position that is parallel or antiparallel to the pinned layer magnetization. Insulation layer 5 adjoins the backside of the MR sensor, and insulation layer 3 contacts the backsides of the bottom shield and top shield 7. The top shield is formed on the MR sensor. An insulation layer 8 and a top shield (S2B) layer 9 are sequentially formed on the top magnetic shield. Note that the S2B layer 9 may serve as a flux return path (RTP) in the write head portion of the combined read/write head. Thus, the portion of the combined read/write head structure formed below layer 9 in
The present disclosure anticipates that various configurations of a write head may be employed with the read head portion. In the exemplary embodiment, magnetic flux 70 in main pole (MP) layer 14 is generated with flowing a current through bucking coil 80b and driving coil 80d that are below and above the main pole layer, respectively, and are connected by interconnect 51. Magnetic flux 70 exits the main pole layer at pole tip 14p at the ABS 30-30 and is used to write a plurality of bits on magnetic media 140. Magnetic flux 70b returns to the main pole through a trailing loop comprised of trailing shields 17, 18, PP3 shield 26, and top yoke 18x. There is also a leading return loop for magnetic flux 70a that includes leading shield 11, leading shield connector (LSC) 33, S2C 32, return path 9, and back gap connection (BGC) 62. The magnetic core may also comprise a bottom yoke 35 below the main pole layer. Dielectric layers 10, 11, 13, 36-39, and 47-49 are employed as insulation layers around magnetic and electrical components. A protection layer 27 covers the PP3 trailing shield and is made of an insulating material such as alumina. Above the protection layer and recessed a certain distance u from the ABS 30-30 is an optional cover layer 29 that is preferably comprised of a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) material such as SiC. Overcoat layer 28 is formed as the uppermost layer in the write head.
Referring to
In
A cross-sectional view in
STO device 22 features a lower non-spin preserving layer 21 on the MP tapered trailing side, a middle flux guiding layer (FGL) 20, and an upper spin preserving layer 19. Non-spin preserving layer 21 is typically a metal such as Ta, W, Pt, Ru, Ti, or Pd. FGL 20 is a magnetic layer that is preferably a multilayer structure comprised of one or more of NiFe, FeCo, CoNi, or an alloy thereof with one or more additional elements. The FGL has a Ms value from 4 kG to 24 kG. The one or more additional elements are selected from B, and metals that are Mo, W, Pt, Pd, or Cr, for example. Spin preserving layer 19 is a conductive layer and is preferably comprised of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, or Cr, or an alloy thereof.
In the exemplary embodiment, STO width w is essentially equivalent to the width of the MP tapered trailing side 14t1 at plane 45-45. However, in other embodiments, as depicted in
A conventional MAMR writer structure and a description of a STO device having a microwave assist effect during a write process by way of generating a RF field on a magnetic bit was previously described in related U.S. Pat. No. 8,582,240. In the present disclosure depicted in
As shown in
Note that the degree of FGL magnetization flipping is determined by the magnitude of IB. FGL magnetization 20m is driven into a precessional state having cone angle α (
Referring to
The recessed STO has a height h of 10 nm to 500 nm, and a down-track thickness tin the z-axis direction that in some embodiments is equal to a thickness t of the write gap 16 as shown in
The top-down view in
In
A process sequence for fabricating the recessed STO according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in
In
Referring to
Referring to
In the following step depicted in
The process of the present disclosure provides an advantage over the prior art shown in
Returning to
Referring to
Referring to
The recessed STO device described herein provides the benefit of reducing the write gap field 70g (
While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to, the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
Liu, Ying, Li, Min, Tang, Yuhui
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